Expressway board member Scott Batterson indicted on bribery, soliciting unlawful compensation charge

[Baitball Blogger]

Orlando, Florida.

Expressway authority board member Scott Batterson was indicted by a grand jury today on one count of bribery and two counts of soliciting unlawful compensation as a public official.

The grand jury said this is an interim report and more indictments could come.

Bond for Batterson has been set at $3,000, and his attorney has been notified. No other details were released.

Orange Osceola State Attorney Jeff Ashton has been investigating Batterson, along with Orlando Orange County Expressway board members Marco Pena and Noranne Downs, since September on claims that they privately discussed ousting former director Max Crumit from the job he held for two years. Authority business can be talked about only in public meetings.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-xway-grand-jury-testimony-20140424,0,7731144.story

[Not Me]

1. This is one of the most openly corrupt public organizations in the country.

I have lived in the area for 11 years, and it never ends. The board is made up of political appointees, most of whom have ties to developers or construction, and they wonder why there is so much graft.

It is a shame, because as Central Florida was largely overlooked during the Eisenhower Interstate planning and rollout. There was no population, so few Interstate services then. Of course, with Disney and development that began in the 70's, toll expressways became the norm. Funning this is, they do them well...tolls notwithstanding. But the oversight is nil.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Central Florida is a corrupt cesspool.

When Charlie Crist started his corruption probe back when he was governor of the state, he distinctly targeted South Florida, leaving the good ole boy counties in the middle of the State untouched. Not saying anything more than that.

[HooptieWagon]

3. Not limited to Central Florida.

Miami-Dade is a cesspool of corruption. Panhandle has a history of corruption going back to Reconstruction. About 20 years ago Tampa had most of City Council arrested on bribery and corruption charges. Its state-wide, and unlikely to change in current climate.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. South Florida did receive some attention.

Central Florida gets unprecedented favoritism. The State Attorney in Orange County is a first at going after the crooks. But, Seminole County's State Attorney is more the norm. Major crap good ole boyist. And the FBI Corruption department, fuggetabouhit.

At least, some probe is better than no probe at all.